Archive for the 'Phil Wickham' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

Soaring temperatures didn't keep a capacity crowd away from Irvine's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Saturday, where people started pouring in by early afternoon to take in a top-tier lineup of Christian music artists performing at Fishfest 2013.

Since proceeds from The Fish/95.9 FM's festival benefit Compassion International, a global sponsorship program aimed at helping children escape poverty, there were plenty of moving firsthand testimonials to accompany performances throughout the long program.

Making its first appearance at the gathering, Georgian group Casting Crowns performed an hour of its praise-and-worship soft-rock. Although their songs don't challenge musically or lyrically the way Christian artists like Jars of Clay and Switchfoot do, connecting with more wide-ranging explorations of spirituality, Casting Crowns' accessible and melodic songs surely resonated with the faithful this night.

Lead singer Mark Hall led the seven-member ensemble through a dozen songs that offer a straightforward look at the troupe's beliefs. The band took one slight sonic detour, performing an inspired instrumental bluegrass nugget, complete with strong fiddle and mandolin dynamics, before the group segued into the uplifting "Praise You with a Dance," from its 2003 self-titled debut.

Faithful contemporary Christian music fans turned out in droves once more for Saturday's Fishfest, the annual bash staged by The Fish 95.9 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

We've caught all the praise-inducing action for our slideshow, from tobyMac's headlining turn to sets from fellow Dove Award-winner Sanctus Real and other CCM stars like Phil Wickham and Lincoln Brewster. Also on hand to deliver remarks and sermons were pastors Rick Warren and Bob Lenz.

Click here or on the photo of Sanctus Real vocalist Matt Hammitt to see more.

I've heard of renowned festivals putting tickets on sale well in advance of the event, but this is pretty ridiculous.

As previously reported, after selling out three June shows in Gibson Amphitheatre and Honda Center (not to mention everywhere else in the country), demand for One Direction is so sky-high that the British boy band has already announced dates and venues for a 2013 return, including Aug. 7 at Staples Center.

But here's the really insane part: It's going on sale this weekend -- Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m., to be exact. Prices: $29.50-$89.50. An American Express pre-sale, as well as a fan-club one, is already underway, slated to end Thursday at 10 p.m.

Another season, another Fish Fest: TobyMac, Sanctus Real, Phil Wickham and more will appear at the annual daylong event, the Weenie Roast of contemporary Christian music, June 23 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Also slated to play: Lincoln Brewster, Chris August, Mikes Chair, Five Irony Frenzy, Press Play, Trip Lee, PawnShop Kings, Travis Ryan and Moriah Peters. Tickets, $9.59-$49.59, are on sale Saturday at noon. Pre-sales will take place Wednesday and Thursday.

A little humor goes a long way -– especially during an event where most of the music has a serious message.

Halfway through his Fishfest set on Saturday, Matthew West freestyled a short tune on acoustic guitar, Ã la Jason Mraz, about playing in SoCal and withstanding the afternoon heat. Later in the evening, Hawk Nelson would also do an impromptu number –- far less successfully –- about the joys of drinking Diet Mountain Dew soda.